ChokLit-coated R&B Flava straight outta tha ChokLitFactory.

After months of negativity and doubt hovering over his project, Usher showed the naysayers wrong by delivering big on his newest effort, Raymond vs. Raymond. The album sold a respectable 329,000 copies in its first week which, even though sales are less than the 423,000 albums Here I Stand sold in 2008, is still a good look for Usher who has suffered a decline in popularity in the past 2 years. Usher’s prodigy/artist Justin Bieber is sitting comfortably at #2 on the Billboard charts after besting R&B Great Monica during her first week of sales. Bieber sold 290,00 copies last week. Off the strength of her lead single, Everything To Me and her reality show on BET, Monica debuted high on the Billboard charts her first week out, though sales have dropped her to #6 this week.

Good look for the R&B Artists this week…

Rihanna announced earlier this week that she was heading out on tour this Summer for her Last Girl on Earth headlining Tour. She announced she would be hitting the road with singer Ke$ha and Rapper/Entertainer Nicki Minaj. Sadly, Nicki tweeted today that she would have to drop out of the tour:

This sucks for Nicki and the Tour. I’m a fan of Rihanna, but Ke$ha on the bill? No, thanks. I wonder what the real reason behind Nicki passing up this great opportunity…

Yes, I know, another Hot ChokLit post for Rihanna, what can I say, #westan for Rih Rih ’round these parts 🙂

Image courtesy of justcdcover.blogspot.com

Rihanna visited Ellen’s talk show today to preform her hit single, Rude Boy for the live audience. Rihanna was *gasp* dancing, moving her hips, having a good time on stage and singing! Well done! I think she feels more comfortable performing this song and being flirty while having fun with it. Peep the smile at 3:20 when she attempts her famed Bogle lol!

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday! I was lazy as hail all day 😉 But let’s get some news out of the way.

According to US Magazine, Jay-z was not impressed with the latest efforts to re-vamp Michael Jackson’s famed ‘We Are the World‘ benefit song into a 2010 version to help benefit the cause for Haiti. The song/video debuted at the Opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It featured a unique group of artists ranging from Kanye West (wearing his best MJ impersonation jacket),to the Jonas brothers, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx and Justin Bieber who opened the song. Justin. Bieber.

About the re-make, Jay-Z quipped,

“I know everybody is gonna take this wrong: ‘We Are the World,’ I love it, and I understand the point and think it’s great. But I think ‘We Are the World’ is like [Michael Jackson‘s] ‘Thriller’ to me. I don’t ever wanna see it touched,”

I agree with Jay-Z. If you haven’t seen the video, watch the 2010 version here. I actually liked the effort and liked some of the vocal arrangements, but between Wyclef screaming like a fool and Lil Wayne, Akon & T-Pain’s auto-tuned mess, I was left shaking my head. Plus we all know the God MC told us Auto-tune was dead back in ’09…

Jay-Z continued,

“I’m a fan of music. I know the plight and everything that’s going on in Haiti. I applaud the efforts: Millions have been raised] through text [donations] to Haiti. So I appreciate the efforts and everything, but ‘We Are The World’ is [musically] untouchable like ‘Thriller’ is untouchable. Some things are just untouchable. It was a valiant effort, but for me, it’s gonna be untouchable.“

And in true Jay-z fashion, he was able to reflect the situation on himself:

“I think it’s time for us to make a new [song]. I tried to do that with ‘Stranded,’ [the tune Jay Z, Rihanna and U2’s Bono and The Edge premiered at the ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ telethon]. I didn’t try to make ‘We Are the World,’ but I tried to make our take on how we felt.“

If you haven’t heard the song Stranded, click here. I actually really like this song.

Rihanna has released the video for her latest single – and one of my favorite tracks on her Rated R CD, Rude Boy. Video stills had been leaked earlier this week, as well as a video preview to hype the release. But now we finally have the real thing. Of course, the fashion, hair and make-up are on point as Rihanna is dressed up in a dancehall-flavored look, African-inspired animal prints and tight hot pants. The biggest story of this video is Rihanna making an honest effort to dance and wine up pon herself! She did a good job, though she made me chuckle a bit hehehe. Still, got to love this girl, the video is HOT!

Although I had a great time twittering with my followers on my Twitter Sunday night, overall, the Grammy’s were terribly boring. I had more fun with the AMAs a couple months back. But there were some noticeable highlights on the show.

The Michael Jackson Tribute where Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Usher and others sang trubute to the King. Usher was a bit weak on his vocals, but Carrie surprised with some impressing ones.

Image courtesy of JustJared

Jennifer Hudson shows off her post-baby hot body alongside her pipes for the MJ Tribute.

Image courtesy of JustJared

Beyonce wins big at the Grammys, taking home 6 trophies – the most ever won by a female artist in a single night. She preformed a Medley of, If I Were a Boy and Alanis Morisette’s You Oughta Know. I found the performance a bit bland, but Beyonce killed on the vocals, as usual.

Lady Gaga showed up like this but gave a solid performance alongside special guest, Elton John. I liked the overall theme of her show; performance-wise, she never disappoints! She should also be happy she took home two Grammys: Best Electronic Dance Album & Best Dance Recording for Poker Face.

So we hit you with the first 15 hot ones of 2009, and now we have the top 15. This group of songs are a bit more uptempo and more well-known songs from either veteran artists or newcomers who broke through with a hit record. Included in the list of newcomers is Keri Hilson who rose from her role as a resident songwriter to being a resident hit -maker and artist. Melanie Fiona also made a name for herself in 2009, hoping to make an even bigger name for herself in 2010. But instead of me spoiling the suspense, keep reading the find out who makes it to number one!

14. The Dream – Rockin’ that Shit– TheDream is another artist who had a great year professionally and personally. Not only did he marry his pregnant sweetie, Christina Milian, he was promoted over at Def Jam due to his ability to score hits for Def Jam’s many artists. In 2010 TheDream will release his last solo album *tear* Love King. Rockin That Shit was the ish when it was released early last year. Heavy syths and a thumping bass complement Terius’ soft vocals. TheDream can create a melody like a beast and this song exhibits this. And if you don’t remember, the remix to this song was even better.

13. K’Jon – Oceans– Detroit native K’Jon scored a big hit with his serene feel-good song Oceans. In it, K’Jon uses the metaphor of sailing with reaching one’s goals and happiness in life. A very nice song, with some nice vocals from K’Jon.

12. Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo – Knock you Down– We predicted this song would be Keri’s last chance to hit it big and that’s just what happened. Knock You Down is Keri’s biggest hit to date, in North America and abroad. Alongside the Chris Robinson-directed video with guests Kanye and Ne-Yo making appearances, this song helped solidify Keri as a force in the Industry to be reckoned with.

11. Dirty Money – Love Come Down – Diddy has really been feeling himself musically lately. While working on his latest album, Last Train to Paris, he hooked up with former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard and singer/songwriter Kaleena to form the group, Dirty Money. Since their formation, the group has been releasing some really promising music, the best being Love Come Down, a homage to the Total days of Bad Boys with Kaleena providing some sexy vocals over a banging beat and a Jay-Z sample from H to the Izzo.

The Bish is back!! Ok guys, thanks for sticking around and continuing to check the site out during my absence. So lets get right back into it, because I’ve missed a whole lot!

First off we have Mary’s newest video for her second single, I Am. Mary looks great in the video, showin us how to really do the blond highlighted bang! Mary’s new album, Stronger With Each Tear is out right NOW! Go cop that ish!

Next we have Ms Mariah and her video for H.A.T.E.U. I feel like I’ve already seen this since I’ve been seeing promo pics of Mariah in this swimsuit for weeks now…I just think this video is ridiculous. This is literally a swimsuit covershoot or a homage to Victoria Secret’s 2010 collection. The video has no story and no purpose. I love Mariah’s music, but these lackluster videos really have to stop. Ok I’m done. Wait – TheDream’s version was better. There, I said it.

After a very tumultuous and challenging year in her personal life, Rihanna has returned to her music with the release of her fourth album, Rated R. As you must know by now, Miss Sunshine has definitely left the building and the good girl has officially gone bad. Lucky for Rihanna and her fans, the music she is producing during this transformation is actually quite good!

Rated R is a dark album with a sinister but triumphant feel to it. Wait is Ova is a coyly written song full of warning shots to potential performers laying in wait, vying for Rihanna’s current spot.Hard featuring Young Jeezy, has Rihanna demanding respect while she reminds us how gangstalicious she is. Who told you Barbados was all palm trees and beaches?

The album has its share of bravado, but some songs also find Rihanna very somber and open. In Stupid Love, she realizes her error in trying to hold onto something that was not working:

“Trying to make this work
But you act like a jerk
Silly of me
To keep holding on
But the dunce cap is off…”

Clearly she is referencing her recent failed relationship and the results are that her fans are able to see Rihanna as a person. Russian Roulette, despite its controversial subject matter, remains one of the strongest songs on the album. Its brooding and eeire tone was the best way to prepare us for Rated R.

Rihanna has released her Anthony Mandler-directed video for her controversial single, Russian Roulette. In the video, Rihanna is seen playing the deadly game with a young man and a one bullet-loaded gun. In other scenes she is in a locked room with armed guards, then writhing on the cold floor in an empty cell in another scene. One notable scene has Rihanna dodging bullets (!!) underwater as her blood taints the color of the water. An interesting look for the former Miss Sunshine; definitely artistic.

I am a little worried for the remainder of Rihanna’s album, as it seems to be very hard and aggressive – something her fans may not expect from her. I know I don’t find a lot of pleasure listening to depressing music, but hey, maybe that’s just me?

Check out another track on Rihanna’s Rated R album, Cold Case Love that is rumored to be produced by Justin Timberlake. This song is interesting. It is written and produced very well and has a very epic feel to it. Check it out!

I watched this video and was quite taken aback. I expected to see Rihanna reading a rehearsed script orchestrated by her Publicity team. Not to say, this interview was not arranged in certain ways. I will definitely check out the remainder of the interview when it airs Friday night on ABC. Rihanna was actually fighting back tears – that really got to me! I’m glad she is able to finally say her piece and I’m glad she is choosing to speaking out. My favorite line: “Eff Love….because Love is so blind“. Ladies. I hope some of ya’ll are listening.

*Sidenote: Now that Rihanna has spoken out, she does realize she cannot take Chris back right? Career-wise, people would never let her live it down if she took him back at this point. What did ya’ll think??